Ottawa Jazz Festival starts today. Here’s what you need to know

Jeff Goldblum presents the award for best actress during the 31st Annual Critics Choice Awards on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026, at The Barker Hanger in Santa Monica, Calif. (AP Photo/Chris Pizzello)

The Ottawa Jazz Festival will be kicking things off on Thursday, bringing the smooth sounds of jazz music to the heart of downtown Ottawa for nine days this month.

Petr Cancura, executive director of Ottawa Jazz Festival, says this year’s festival is set to bring a wide array of musicians — and even a Hollywood star — to the capital.

Here is what you need to know about the Ottawa Jazz Festival.

When is it?

The Ottawa Jazz Festival will begin Thursday at noon, and will conclude on Sunday, June 28.

Events will run between 12 p.m. and 12 a.m. daily.

There are no shows scheduled on Monday, June 22 and Tuesday, June 23.

Where is it?

The festival features five stages within a small section of the downtown area.

There are two stages at Confederation Park, the OLG Main Stage and the Elgin St. Stage.

“We’re very excited, we love our park,” Cancura told Newstalk 580 CFRA’s Ottawa at Work with Patricia Boal.

“We love that we’re a large festival, we’re 46 years old, we’re the second largest jazz festival in Canada, but it’s still small enough in Confederation Park that you kind of feel like you’re in a living room, like you’re it’s still an intimate show.”

People will be able to visit the middle section of Confederation Park for free, which will feature a newly revamped food section.

There are two venues at the National Arts Centre, the Fourth Stage and the Azrieli Studio.

This year, there will also be free shows on the second level of the Rideau Centre near the food court every day of the festival.

“We have a free stage at the Rideau Centre, which is super exciting. That happens every day during the day,” he said.

Who is performing?

The 2026 Ottawa Jazz Festival will feature artists like St. Vincent, Wyclef Jean, Jeff Goldblum and the Mildred Snitzer Orchestra, Willow, and BADBADNOTGOOD.

Wyclef Jean, the Haitian rapper and singer known for their work in the Fugees, will be kicking things off for the festival with his performance at the OLG Stage in Confederation Park on Thursday evening.

Meanwhile, Hollywood star Jeff Goldblum will be taking center stage on Saturday evening.

“We’re super excited,” Cancura said. “He actually has an incredible, incredible band with him and he plays piano and sings, and I’m sure he’ll do a little bit of comedy as well, as he does.”

Cancura suggests fans arrive about 30 minutes early to Goldblum’s show for “something that I can’t give away that’s going to happen before the show.”

Cancura says he expects Willow, the daughter of Will Smith and Jada Pinkett-Smith, to bring in wide range of fans.

“She’s doing all kinds of amazing things. Her new record has kind of the who’s who in the kind of hip jazz world. She’s just skyrocketing,” Cancura said.

“Not to mention I have a 15-year-old daughter, and she cannot wait, because she, of course, went viral with all the teens as well. So, she kind of straddles that world as well as more sophisticated listeners as well, so it will be exciting.”

Cancura says there will be around 60 local groups and artists performing at the festival.

What do I need to know about ticketing?

Cancura says many general admission tickets are still available, and they can be purchased online or in person.

A general admission full festival pass costs $377.84. General admission single day passes are also available, and range in price from approximately $30 to $80.

“The costs of everything are going up for everybody, so we made sure that our general admission is cheaper than it was last year,” Cancura said.

Premium, VIP and youth tickets are also available at different price points.

Other things to know

The festival is entirely cashless and there are no ATMs on site.

Children under the age of 10 can attend shows at the Main Stage and the Elgin St. Stage for free. Youth between 11 and 21 years of age may purchase a youth ticket.

The festival has no designated parking, but motorists can park in nearby garages or lots, or on certain streets in the evening.

There are unsupervised bike racks at City Hall and the south-west corner of Confederation Park.

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